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England has played their penultimate game until November’s World Cup well before Gareth Southgate chooses his squad in October.
He can pick 26 players and will, despite him emphasizing how it’s an optimum amount. Even if they lose, he’ll almost certainly start several of them, as evidenced by his lineups in the 1-0 loss to Italy and the 3-3 tie with Germany.
It presents other concerns and challenges for him to address when narrowing a list of possibly 35 applicants into his final 26.
England’s goalkeeping pecking order
Aaron Ramsdale might have had a great time. Nick Pope had a two-game trial to be Jordan Pickford’s deputy but his unimpressive kicking posed an issue even before a late error awarded Kai Havertz Germany’s equalizer.
When Pickford eventually comes back, Dean Henderson is probably going to be demoted to make room for Ramsdale. The latest World Cup betting odds 2022 would have turned out differently for England without Ramsdale.
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of his list?
Southgate has evaded decisions by picking all four right-backs in different squads. But if there is a separate discussion over whether Liverpool’s creator-in-chief ought to be the first pick for his nation, it has become even more evident he is fourth in his manager’s mind.
Even if Kyle Walker should be considered one of the center backs in a 3-4-3, and Reece James and Kieran Trippier are both better than Alexander-Arnold, Southgate may explain giving one of the additional spots in his squad to someone who has a better chance of playing. He looks increasingly fearless of backlash for snubbing Alexander-Arnold.
Will he pick Ben Chilwell?
If so then, then Trippier becomes less probable to play on the left and, in turn, there is a reduced need for Alexander-Arnold. In all likelihood, Southgate was dissatisfied when Chelsea acquired Marc Cucurella because it reduced Chilwell’s playing time for the club at the WorldCup22.
However, Chilwell may be sent to Qatar because of two factors: Luke Shaw’s impressive performance against Germany, which may force him into the starting 11, and Bukayo Saka’s uncomfortable night at left wing-back in Milan.
Who will play as backup center-backs?
The evidence points to the inking of four names: Walker, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier, and John Stones. There are thus likely two openings.
None of Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, and Conor Coady were permitted a minute’s action during the two September games. Coady is known as a decent tourist, but Dier’s versatility could make him unnecessary if he is used in the middle or on the right of the three for England. According to Steve Holland, Coady is England’s player for Euro 2020 without playing.
Maguire’s position on the left side of the field is where England has the fewest convincing options, with Guchi and Tomori maybe battling for one spot. We’ll just have to wait to see; catch the World Cup 2022 free livestream and find out for ourselves.
If Everton’s James Tarkowski, who has been excellent on the left side of the field, is too far down the pecking order, left-footed Tyron Mings could make a comeback. That Ben White might well rather play in the middle or on the right would count against him, though he is in Southgate’s mind.
Is a semi-fit Kalvin Phillips a good pick?
Southgate displays loyalty to individuals who have succeeded for him throughout the past and a 26-man team provides him a lot of opportunities. He was praised for choosing Maguire when he was not ready for the start of Euro 2020 despite Jordan Henderson, who wasn’t either, never rediscovered his peak form that summer.
Phillips was a benefit then, in a season when he was terrific. After having shoulder surgery and missing out on pre-World Cup friendlies, he may potentially be the biggest gamble of all, having played only 13 minutes of football all season.
James Ward-Prowse didn’t make the final cut for Euro 2020; now his prospects of averting a similar disaster could depend on whether Southgate picks five central midfielders. It makes it more logical to adopt a policy of numbers safety if any of the first four has an injury doubt.
Who is Harry Kane’s deputy?
Uncapped Brentford forward Ivan Toney was even more concerned after neither Tammy Abraham nor he played a single minute against either Italy or Germany. Southgate admitted, “There are some really tight calls,” despite the fact that no one has been named the captain’s backup in years.
Club form could possibly be key. While that could give Ollie Watkins or Dominic Calvert-Lewin encouragement, Abraham still appears to be the slight favorite. If you’ve seen the World Cup 2022 fixtures Singapore time, England will be up against Iran on November 21st.